You have questions, Matt Hayes has answers in his weekly Mail Bonding column:
Q: I’m tired of hearing about Florida State and Alabama. We get it, they’re good and they’re probably going to be playing in the playoff. How about a team that maybe no one expects?
— Jerry G., Johnson City, Tennessee
Hayes: There was a time when I thought Virginia Tech, after two disastrous step-back seasons, was in position to make it happen.
Now, after the events of fall camp, I’m more convinced than ever.
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This doesn’t have as much to do with Ohio State losing quarterback Braxton Miller for the season — and thus making VT’s job in Columbus on Sept. 6 less daunting — but more about the non-coronation of transfer quarterback Michael Brewer.
Confused? Hang with me.
There was little doubt, considering the state of the Virginia Tech roster at the quarterback position, that Brewer would be the Hokies’ starting quarterback this fall after transferring from Texas Tech as a graduate student. But senior and career backup Mark Leal has had a terrific fall camp, and has made the decision to start Brewer that much tougher.
Brewer will be the team’s quarterback, but that competition in fall camp has raised his intensity and gives the Hokies a focused — and more important, pushed and motivated — player at the most important position on the field. Unlike the last two seasons when Logan Thomas’ 29 interceptions contributed to VT’s regression.
The Hokies are stout on defense, and have elite talent at the skill positions. And it’s not like that veteran, successful staff suddenly forgot how to coach and win big games. It’s all about the quarterback, and Brewer gives the Hokies a talented player who can take care of the ball — something they haven’t had the last two seasons.
Protect the ball, play strong defense and roll through an easy ACC schedule where your toughest game is at North Carolina (until a potential game with Florida State in the ACC Championship Game).
BAMA QB DILEMMA
Q: I see a smoke screen with Nick Saban. I think he wants everyone to think Blake Sims can win the job just so everyone else doesn’t prepare for Jake Coker and he dominates this season. What do you think?
— Dustin Franks, LaGrange, Georgia
Hayes: It’s possible. It’s also possible that Coker, despite Jimbo Fisher’s declaration that Coker could start for just about every FBS school, isn’t nearly the player everyone thought he was.
It’s also possible that a player asked to learn a new system in three weeks; asked to become a team leader in less than three months on campus; asked to keep the Alabama engine running full throttle, might just be overwhelmed by it all.
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It’s also possible that a player who has been around a program for four years; who knows what’s expected of him; who knows his time is running out, realizes it’s time to play now or never again — and his performance has forced the staff to take another strong look at him as an option.
My guess is it’s a combination of all those things, and the harsh fact that the safety net that was AJ McCarron is no longer around. And that’s leading to a little more anxiety than expected in Tuscaloosa among everyone involved.
Poor (or uneven) quarterback play can destroy a season — even with the most talented teams. That’s what Alabama will miss most about McCarron: his presence and ability to make plays when things got hectic.
More than anything, Alabama — no matter who plays quarterback — obviously doesn’t have that right now if Saban is publicly stating he wants someone to take the job and run with it. That’s the real problem, not some fictional smoke screen.
Marquise Williams gives UNC coach Larry Fedora a dynamic, dual threat QB. (AP Photo)
CAN'T PLAY WITHOUT
Q: Who are the most invaluable players to their respective teams?
— J.J., Desoto, Texas
Hayes: Instead of throwing out the obvious (Marcus Mariota, Jameis Winston), let’s look at a few we know little about now — but will hear plenty about down the road:
— Marquise Williams, North Carolina: A dynamic dual threat QB who completely changed the complexion of the Tar Heels in the second half of last season (when UNC won five of its last six games).
If you thought Larry Fedora’s offense was dangerous last year, wait and see how multiple it becomes this fall now that Williams has a greater understanding of the system and is more comfortable making changes at the line of scrimmage.
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— RB Derrick Green, Michigan: Showed up last season as a heralded freshman — with about 20-30 extra pounds. Took the entire season to get into playing shape, and never really made an impact.
But one game — and handful of runs — against Ohio State showed everyone what could be if Green were fully committed to staying in shape and getting mentally ready every week. The staff thinks he’s there now, and Green is the projected starting tailback going into game week.
He’s in shape, but he’s still 240 pounds and can be the big, bruising, move the pile tailback Michigan has lacked for years. More than that, he can give the Michigan run game — which was putrid last fall averaging less than four yards per carry — the ability to control the tempo of a game and not depend on the arm of QB Devin Gardner.
— QB Cyler Miles, Washington: He’ll miss the first game of the season on suspension, and he’s being pushed by Jeff Lindquist and Troy Williams. But there’s little doubt who has the most talent and ability.
New coach Chris Petersen has never really had a dual threat quarterback, a player who can create problems for the defense with his legs and arm. The closest he had to that at Boise State was Jared Zabransky, and Miles is far more talented than the player who led Boise State to an unbeaten season and a Fiesta Bowl win over Oklahoma.
Even if Lindquist or Williams plays well while Miles is sitting out the opener vs. Hawaii, don’t think for a moment Miles — who showed elite talent last year in relief of injured Keith Price — won’t seize opportunity when he gets it.
KEY FOR AGGIES
Q: Can Kenny Hill be a quarterback that can lead Texas A&M to a big season? How does he top what Johnny Football did?
— Luke Foster, Houston
Hayes: How does he top it? How about winning the SEC West Division for starters. For all the fun and excitement Manziel brought the Aggies, they finished third and fourth in the West in his two seasons.
Hill will be ready to play; that’s not the issue. Aggies coach Kevin Sumlin has too good a track record to think he won’t.
The question is, can Texas A&M get significant production from young WRs Speedy Noil and Ricky Seals-Jones — and more important, on the other side of the ball from D-linemen Myles Garrett and Zaycoven Henderson.
This team has to play better defensively, has to get off the field and has to force turnovers. Hill will not only be ready, he’ll put up big numbers. But he’s not the key to the Aggies making a move in the West Division. The defense is.
Contact Matt Hayes at [email protected] on on Twitter at @Matt_HayesSN.